University of California at Santa Cruz Diversity Program in Genomic Sciences

Overview

To achieve our goal of bringing today's best minds and brightest researchers to the field of genomic science, it is essential to attract students and faculty who represent the cultural, intellectual, and ethnic vitality our state and nation. The Research Mentoring Institute (RMI) of the Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering at the University of California, Santa Cruz is one way we actively work to fulfill our mission of diversity and excellence. The RMI promotes access for talented students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds and enriches the field of genomic research by creating training and mentoring opportunities for the next generation of scientists, computational engineers, and ethicists. Sponsored by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), the RMI is a merit-based award program that supports undergraduate and graduate research related to genomic sciences and the attendant ethical, legal, and social implications of the knowledge produced by that research. The institute offers financial support, training in state-of-the-art facilities, an extensive mentorship network, and a collegial community. RMI scholars pursue meaningful research and develop important technical and professional skills in order to enter a career in advanced genomic science. For more information please visit our website or contact Zia Isola, Associate Director of CBSE Diversity Programs: isola@soe.ucsc.edu.

Research Opportunities

The Center for Biomolecular Science & Engineering (CBSE) has over 75 faculty affiliates at UCSC, spanning 14 departments in three divisions: School of Engineering, Physical & Biological Sciences and Social Sciences.

The research spans a wide range of biomolecular science:

bioengineering and biotechnology

bioinformatics, applied mathematics, and biostatistics

structural and chemical biology and computational chemistry.

experimental genomics and proteomics

molecular and cellular biology

biochemistry and biophysics

computer engineering and scientific visualization

health and environmental science

Because of the rapidly changing nature of the field of biomedical research, chemists, biologists, statisticians, engineers, physicists, sociologists and philosophers must work together, crossing traditional academic boundaries in order to effectively engage the challenges and opportunities presented by genomic science.

Students at UCSC have numerous opportunities to participate in research at both the graduate and undergraduate level. The School of Engineering and the Division of Physical & Biological Science host a variety of summer research intensives as well as extended mentored research programs that span the entire academic year. Students from other campuses are invited to apply to the SURF-IT (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Information Technology). To learn more about academic enrichment and mentorship opportunities, please visit the https://surf-it.soe.ucsc.edu.